Jamman54

She's a great ship. Have a great cruise! 😎

Thanks for reading! I first stopped at South of the Border in 1973 while heading down to Fort Lauderdale for Spring break. It was a dump then! 😁

Now what are you going to do?

Thanks! Those are our go to on the Excel Class!

Thanks Rhonda! I will raise a birthday toast to you from the Havana Bar on embarkation day!

Is he going to give you his schedule?

Our final thoughts and ramblings. Patti and I don’t normally like sailing in January. Patti and I don’t normally like sailing from Miami. Patti and I don’t normally like sailing for “only” seven days. But when our friends Jim & Pat told us about the Tribe cruise, we jumped right on it, even though it was “only” seven days, from Miami, in January. This was a chance to meet a whole bunch of people that we had been “talking” to for years here on Cruise Critic, and this experience did not disappoint. In fact, the only disappointment was that the cruise ended much too soon. We want to say that it was an honor and a pleasure to meet and cruise with each and every one of you. We would cruise with any one of you again in the future. So thank you Pam, Ellen, Vic & Donna, Amy, Heather & Peter, Lorraine & Roger, Beverly, Karen & Gerald, Megan & Brian, Sid, and Jim & Pat, for making this cruise so special! You may have noticed that I used their real names. That’s because these are real people. We sometimes forget that there are real people posting behind the screen names they use. If you have been following this thread you should be able to match the real names to the screen names, but in the end, these are all just great real people. Patti and I have our own personal Hall of Fame of prolific Cruise Critic Reviewers that we have had the honor and pleasure to have met and cruised with. This cruise provided us with two more inductees. This is our updated list, somewhat in the order of appearance: jimbo5544, Mitsugirly, Saint Greg, willdra, MeganGC1983, & sid_9169. If that looks like a who’s who of prolific reviewers, that’s because it is. There are quite a few more out there that we would love to meet and sail with. Now, as for the Celebration, we did give our final thoughts after our first cruise on her last April, but I’ll re-hash some of our points. Patti and I really enjoyed our time on the Celebration, but the Excel Class is still not our favorite. We still enjoy the Spirit Class, and the Vista Class if having a Havana cabin, better. Everyone has their favorites, right? As like the first time that we cruised on the Celebration, we never ate in the MDR except for the Diamond Lunch. There are just so many dining options there is no need too. There were a couple of days where we just wanted a quick meal up at the Marketplace. We had no problem finding something that we liked, and most of what was on the dining room menu that day, was available here. Once again we have to say that even with over 6,000 passengers on board we really didn’t run into many crowding issues, other than embarkation day where everyone heads to the Lido Deck. Yes, you had to line up for the 18+ comedy shows at the Punchliner, but the PG comedy shows at the Limelight Lounge were no problem. It was almost impossible to get a seat at the Alchemy Bar. In fact, I don’t remember having a drink there the whole cruise! We didn’t have any problems getting a seat at Latitudes or Golden Jubilee. If you want a good seat at the Grand Spectrum Theater, get there a half hour early. Now the Center Stage is a different animal. There aren’t many seats on any deck that give you a clear view of any show. If you want one of those, get there an hour early. Patti being hearing impaired likes to sit as close as possible, so you’ll find us down on the floor amongst the props and set pieces. It’s pretty cool to sit down there, but even down there you can’t see everything. With the huge video screens, you feel like you’re “inside” the show, and during some of the shows the cast will interact with you. Pretty cool. Just one thing to know that if you sit down there, you can’t leave once the show starts. Well, you can, but there is a procedure that the crew will explain to you before the show. We enjoyed our ports of call. Our Pool Cabana in Amber Cove, Patti walking around Old San Juan while I utilized the Cheers Program, and our day at Coki Beach in St. Thomas were all very enjoyable. We love the cabins on this class of ships, even if the bathrooms are a little smaller. On all four of our XL cruises, we have had extended balconies on the “hump”. I believe that these are the only balconies on the ship, other than the cove balconies, that you can look down directly to the water. We will have the same cabin that we had on this cruise (11358), when we sail on the Jubilee next year. As far as embarkation and debarkation went, it was as almost perfect as it could possibly be. I would highly recommend that you get passports if you haven’t already. Though not needed to travel on these cruises, getting through customs is a breeze if you have one. Step up to the facial recognition and you’re out of there. If not, you’ll have to wait in what could be a lengthy line to see an agent. It’s your choice. Patti and I are not crazy about sailing from Miami anymore. For us, Port Canaveral is much easier, since most of the time we drive to Florida, and can save about eight hours of driving by cruising from there. I also know that it’s much easier to fly to Miami to board a ship, than it is to fly to Orlando for PC departures. Whatever works best for you. My mind has gone blank, so if you have any questions at all we’ll be more than happy to answer them for you. If I think of anything else, I’ll be sure to post it. And now here are our future cruise plans. On April 14th 2024, we will be back in Port Canaveral for B2B cruises on the Carnival Vista to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. We have the same Havana inside cabin booked for both legs. Two weeks of the “Havana Experience”. Sweet! Based on our experience with Cheers on the Celebration, we will be purchasing Cheers once again! Then on August 31st 2024, we will be boarding The Carnival Venezia from our homeport of New York, on B2B cruises to Bermuda and Canada. It just so happens that Lee Mason will be boarding the ship the same day as us, to take over as Cruise Director. It should be fun. 2025 will be a special year for cruising for us. To start off, we will be making a mega road trip that will take us to New Orleans and Galveston, two ports we haven’t sailed from, on two ships we haven’t sailed on. On March 31st, 2025 we will be boarding the Carnival Valor in New Orleans for B2B 5 day cruises to the Western Caribbean. Upon return we will head over to Galveston where on the next day, April 12th, 2025 we will board the Carnival Jubilee on a 7 day cruise to the Western Caribbean. That should be some adventure! Then in September we will be flying out to Seattle, where on September 26th, 2025 we will be boarding the Carnival Spirit for a 15 day cruise to Hawaii. It will be great to go there once again! Will any of you be sailing with us? If not, we’ll be bringing the cruise to you! Before I end this, I have to thank my beautiful wife Patti. I couldn’t do these adventures, these reviews, or live life without her. She is my best friend, my rock, and a heck of a photographer! Speaking of photography, the photos you see on these reviews are only a small portion of all the photos Patti takes during our cruises. If you would like to see the whole package, there is a link in my signature for our Cruise and Vacation albums. Feel free to check them out if you are so inclined. So, until next time, may you have blue skies and calm seas!!!

That's Him!!!!!

Thanks Megan! I will be posting our final thoughts by the end of the day.

Post Cruise - (January 27th) - The final push home! We were up at 5am, and on the road by 6:10am. Here are some early morning views as we head north on I-95 in North Carolina…… Several hours later we are passing Kings Dominion in Virginia….. A few hours after that, we are driving past Baltimore. We got a quick glimpse of M&T Bank Stadium where the Chiefs will be playing the Ravens tomorrow in the AFC Championship game….. Looking over to the right we can see the Vision OTS at the Maryland Cruise Terminal….. A short time later we are crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge back into New Jersey….. We arrived back home in Somerset, New Jersey around 1pm. Another great cruise and vacation completed. THE END!

While I relax after nine hours of driving, Patti gives us a short tour of the hotel. Here are a couple pictures of the lobby, where they have coffee available 24hrs a day….. Here are some pictures of the breakfast area. We won’t be partaking as we want to get another early start tomorrow….. The Guest Laundry….. The Fitness Center….. The Pool Area….. A short time later we drive over to Chili’s for some dinner. We had boneless wings and fries again…… There is a dippin’ dots right across the parking lot from the hotel, so Patti goes and gets our dessert….. Back in our room we just relax and watch tv, and are asleep by 8pm.

We checked in and were given Room # 109. Here is a tour of the room…… To be continued…….

Post Cruise - (January 26th) - We begin our two day journey home. We were up at 3:30am. Yes, you read that right, 3:30am. If you have ever experienced morning rush hour traffic in Orlando, you know that you have to get out of dodge before it begins. We showered, dressed, packed our hotel bags, and then checked out. We hit the road at 4:45 am. A few hours later you can see the sun rising in the east…… Our first stop was back in Kingsland, Georgia where we stopped to get gas, and then breakfast at Cracker Barrel….. Back on the road we are making great time. We are about to pass the Buc-ees in Florence, South Carolina. We are NOT stopping…… We are approaching THAT place again. Fortunately, Patti doesn’t have the desire to stop there again….. This reminded Patti and I that we have to go back to work on Monday….. At 2pm we reached our stop for the night. We are staying at the Country Inn & Suites in Wilson, North Carolina right off exit 121 on I-95….. To be continued…..

Table chogs! Not supposed to be using those tables for games during peak buffet times! Common courtesy people!!! 😬

Not my experience on multiple cruises playing blackjack. On a win they would pay me in real chips, but would leave the fun play chips on the table. They would only pull my fun play chips when I actually lost them.

I agree. It does have the roof.

Love, love, love Chopsticks!!!

Glad to hear that your dad is doing well! We will be in Orlando post cruise April 28th until May 2nd.

Patti and I have another drink and then head back to the hotel to finish our packing. When we’re done we’ll only leave what we need for tomorrow morning. We decide that we’ll head over to Hooters for dinner. We bring all of our luggage and stuff downstairs and load up the car. That done, it’s time to eat!...... Patti and I are having our last drinks in Florida. That is, until we return in April!..... You can’t go wrong with chicken tenders, boneless wings, and loaded tater tots….. We make our way back to the hotel where we’ll watch a little tv and then go to bed. We’ll be getting a very early start tomorrow. Good Night! Coming up next: We begin our journey back to New Jersey.

Patti continues to explore Icon Park…… Patti makes it back to me and the Wheelhouse Bar. She can sure use a drink. She absolutely loves “Life’s a Beach”, says it’s the best drink she’s ever had!..... To be continued……

This is the Star Flyer. You won’t catch us on that thing!..... This is the Wheel and the Merry-go-Round……. Patti continues to walk around Icon Park checking out the shops, bars, and restaurants…… To be continued…..

Patti leaves me behind to begin exploring Icon Park….. This is the Slingshot….. To be continued…..

Patti came back to the room and began to pack some of her things. Around 11am we made the short drive over to Icon Park….. Parking is free if you park on the 4th Level or above….. Here is a map of Icon Park…… We head into the Wheelhouse. There is a variety of attractions in here, including the entrance for the Wheel….. I have found my spot at the Wheelhouse Bar….. To be continued…..

Patti checks out the Fitness Center….. Here are some views of the Courtyard and Pool areas….. To be continued……

Post Cruise - (January 25th) - We enjoy our last day in Florida. We were up at 7am to another beautiful warm sunny day just like yesterday. Once again we went down to the Fountain View Café for the buffet breakfast. Afterwards, I went back to the room to begin my packing, while Patti went to take pictures of the hotel and property. Here are some outside views of the Rosen Inn International….. Patti heads inside to the Topsy Turvey Lounge…… This is the outside seating for the Topsy Turvey Lounge….. Lite Brite is where you go for snacks and stuff….. This is the Internet Center….. This is the Game Room….. To be continued…..